The Purple Goose, the latest in a long line of bar-food restaurants in Baton Rouge, opened about three weeks ago on Nicholson Drive, taking the place of barbecue restaurant Cou-Yon’s.
The Purple Goose was founded by Chad Hughes, who also owns Bosco’s Frozen Yogurt. Hughes said his goal with The Purple Goose is to provide a place for patrons to drink while enjoying a different take on typical bar food.
High-quality bar food can’t be beat, so I decided to give The Purple Goose a shot. After hearing mixed reviews, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was still excited to see what the restaurant had to offer.
I ordered a bar-food classic – a bacon cheeseburger topped with a fried egg. I also couldn’t resist trying the restaurant’s macaroni and cheese, a typically delicious dish that’s hard to mess up.
When my burger arrived at the table, everything looked great. The cooks had forgotten to add the cheese, but that’s a forgivable mistake, seeing as the place has only been open three weeks.
Soon after digging into my meal, however, I was disappointed. The burger was overcooked and relatively bland. The bacon that topped the patty was delicious, but the fried egg was also overdone. An egg on top of a burger shouldn’t be runny, but it shouldn’t have a hard-boiled consistency either, which The Purple Goose’s did.
The fries included with the burger were far from crispy and a bit too salty. But fries like these aren’t limited to The Purple Goose – they’re typical of bar-food restaurants across the city.
The macaroni and cheese was the bright spot of my meal. Obviously home-cooked, it was rich and creamy, the perfect combination for such a dish. This small side was the best part of my visit to The Purple Goose.
The restaurant’s menu offered plenty in the way of diversity, but lacked enough innovation to distance The Purple Goose from any other bar and grill in town. Full of items that could be found at other restaurants across Baton Rouge, the menu seemed to be a rehash of a typical bar-food joint.
The restaurant’s service was good. Friendly staff greeted me at the door and checked on me numerous times throughout my meal. The restaurant wasn’t busy, but with the wide variety of liquor offered, it certainly has the potential to become a bustling place on the weekends.
The Purple Goose’s atmosphere is well suited to a late-night crowd. Numerous TVs line the wall, while the whole restaurant has a fun, relaxing mood, perfect for a hangout spot.
The restaurant’s prices are reasonable. For about $12 I got the burger, fries and macaroni and cheese. The eatery also had plenty of drink specials, which will draw people into the place.
My guess is people won’t go to The Purple Goose primarily for the food. The restaurant boasts plenty of beers on tap and a well-stocked bar. Still, if the restaurant wishes to distance itself from Baton Rouge classics like Brew-Bacher’s or George’s, it has a long way to go.
 
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Contact Joey Groner at [email protected]